Cerebral Infarction after Traumatic Brain Injury: Incidence and Risk Factors / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: Post-traumatic cerebral infarction (PTCI) is one of the most severe secondary insults after traumatic brain injury (TBI), and is known to be associated with poor outcome and high mortality rate. We assessed the practical incidence and risk factors for the development of PTCI. METHODS: We conducted retrospective study on 986 consecutive patients with TBI from the period May 2005 to November 2012 at our institution. The definition of PTCI was made on non-enhanced CT scan based on a well-demarcated or fairly discernible region of low attenuation following specific vascular territory with normal initial CT. Clinical and radiological findings that related to patients' outcome were reviewed and statistically compared. RESULTS: PTCI was observed in 21 (2.1%) patients. Of various parameters, age (p=0.037), initial Glasgow coma scale score (p<0.01), brain herniation (p=0.044), and decompressive craniectomy (p=0.012) were significantly higher in patients with PTCI than patients who do not have PTCI. Duration between accident and PTCI, patterns of TBI and vascular territory of PTCI were not specific. The mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with PTCI than without PTCI. CONCLUSION: The development of PTCI is rare after TBI, but it usually results in serious outcome and high mortality. Early recognition for risks and aggressive managements is mandatory to prevent PTCI.

Adulthood Benign Triton Tumor Developed in the Orbit

Benign triton tumor (BTT) or neuromuscular hamartoma is an uncommon tumor composed of mature neural and well-differentiated striated muscular elements. Its development is exceptionally rare in the adult and head region. This report describes a case of adulthood BTT that occurred in the orbit. The patient was a 53-year-old woman who presented with right periorbital swelling and pain in eyeball over 2 months. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-enhancing mass surrounding optic nerve and ocular muscles in the right retrobulbar area. The tumor was subtotally removed via transcranial approach. Its pathological diagnosis was confirmed to be a neuromuscular hamartoma. She developed diplopia postoperatively. Adulthood BTT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of head and neck tumors. It is also important to make adequate therapeutic strategy to avoid postoperative neural dysfunction.